robert



` 1- Steeieatioa fdrmingimri 0f it-fors i V'Be it knowni that I, ALFRED ROBERT, ent glneer, of Paris, in the Empire of France,

the following isa specification. v `Myinvention consists of a drying apparatus t iu` which the" graiuor other substance to be treated `is" caused topass by its own gravity 1 through a perforated'box lor` casing in contact ,t i, y withheated tubes` and witha perforated venf tilatingsnaft or pipe, inwhichan upward draft is produced for the purpose of causing thelair tolpass transversely across the grain,- and carryingfoff the aqueous vapors arising from the heatedgrain, all 'as fully ,explained hereinafter u u Inthe accompanying drawingsfFigure 1 is i aside elevation `of my improved apparatus a for drying grain and other substances;` Fig. 2, i a sectional elevationof the same; Fig. 3, aplan i view, and Fig. iasectional plan on `the line 1*2`Fig.`2.,l j j j The apparatus, asrepresentedin the drawings, isintended `principally for drying grain; and it consists, mainly, of an upright cylinf. u `dricalcasing, A, containing a great number of smalltubes, B, vand central tube, D, of large 1 diametenthewhole being supported upon a y suitable frame, x. `The casingAmaybe made in several parts, to `ji'acilitate its erection and removal. f i `Its sidesuconsist of perforated sheet `metal orwirefgauze, and its tapering or funnel-shapedends (l andG` are made in thepresi gent instance of cast-iron and in v`one piece, with the boxeslor chambers E and `Ef beneath l and above :the saidcasing. The central tube, i D, is also perforatedfwith a number of small u holes `within the casing, isclosed at its lower .t end bya detachable cap, ci, and communicates at itsupper end with a flue or chimney, F, withinwhich anupward draft isproduced, i either by a fan or otherwise, ashereinafter explained.` `The said tube is supportedby *.lugs b l, near itslupper end`which rest upon ,setescrews dof the casing. These set-screws lalso serve tomaintain the tube in a proper `central position, so that there may be antan*- inula'r space," H, between the same and the casl ingatthe top of fthe,` latter; and setscrews d atthebottom of the casing performa similar L jiMPgRoi/EMENT IN c-xFnpAlhl-DRIERS.`

v have` inventedgan ,Improved Apparatus for` wDrying Grain andvotherSubstances, of which f OFFICE,-

firnrnnn ROBERT, or Pillars, Fahnen.

Patent No. l 15,24, dated May 23, i871', antcdnted i M3519, 1871. u s xi duty in preserving an annularspace, H. This latter space communicates with a spout, J, at the bottom of the casing, at the entrance of lrwhichis arranged a register or valve, K;

The vertical tubes B, before referred to as occupyinga great portion of the interior of the casing A, extend through the top and bottom of the latter, and communicate with both ,of the chambers E and E. The chamber E has an outlet-pipe, g, for the hot water, steam, 1 hot air, or gas which is to be passed through y the tubes B, and the upper chamber, E', com municates through a pipe, g', with the outlet flue or chimney Ff As the apparatus is in the present instance intended more especially for the use of steam `in the drying-tubes B, pipes L, L', and L2,

communicating with the chambers E and E and with the chimney F, are provided to carryV oft' the water of condensation.

y In using this apparatus the space between the central tube, D, and exterior* wall of the casing, and surroundingV the dryingtubes B,

`is filledl with the mass of grain to be dried,

which is introduced through the annular passage H, passes slowly downward, and is discharged through the annular passage H and y spoutJ.` Plates or spreaders O, secured to the exterior ofthe tube D, equalize the downward passage of the grain, preventing that portion of the mass toward the center from descendving more rapidly than that toward the eXterior of the casing. The funnel-shaped lower end, C', of the casing also facilitates the down Ward flow of` the grain, and the rapidity of the iiow can be regulated, as desired, by an adjustmentof the valve X. While the mass of i introduced into the lower chamber, E, and is .suffered to pass upward through the tubes B,

which are surrounded by the `mass of grain, into the upper chamber, E.

latter, and, by producing a partial vacuum,

will induce an upward Acirculation of air 7 through the tube D. As the latter is closed at the bottom, this air must pass through the perforated sides of the casingand through From the latter the steam will pass through the pipe ginto the chimney F, will force the air out of thel the mass of grain in a horizontal course before it can enter the tube. In consequence of the great number of tubes B and the extended heating-surface thus presented, heat will be transmitted rapidly and uniformly throughout the mass of grain, and the current of air in traversing this mass to enter the tube D will carry with it the aqueous vapors as they are formed, so that the result must necessarily be a rapid and thorough drying of the grain. The absorbent power of the air can also be increased, if desired, by either heating or drying it, or both.

Instead of creating a draft in the chimney F by discharging the steam, heated air, or gas from the tubes B, into the same, as before described, afan may be employed, or volumes of heated air or steam under pressure be forced into and up through the chimney.

It will be evident that the apparatus, although designed especially 'or drying grain, will be useful, either arranged as above described or on being slightly modified for drying a variety of substances.

Among the advantages of my invention may -be mentioned the following: The apparatus effeet-s its object rapidly without too greatly heating the grain or other substance; it requires no watching, `manipulation, or motive power; it can be .erected at little expense in any locality, and may be adapted to any system of heating.

I claim- 1. A drying apparatus consisting mainly offa perforated or ganze casing A, containing `to this specification in the presence of .two subscribing witnesses.

' ALFRED ROBERT.

Witnesses:

EMILE RICHARD, ADoLPHE BEssoN,

matted States Consulate General. 

